"If one understands the history of decaying civilizations as purely the history of corrupted elites, it's only natural to believe that the problem lies with elites themselves. This leads to a lot of populist fantasies that 'people-powered movements' are immune to the sins and temptations that define the rich and powerful. But elites are humans, and so it follows that the problems of elites are problems with humans themselves. Civilizations can also die when the masses are corrupted too."
- Jonah Goldberg

(11.11.2005)Liberty vs. SecurityProposal to lengthen period UK can hold suspects without charges goes down in flames; post-9/11 "security" measures in the US are being questioned, too. Liberty may be alive and well after all.

(11.11.2005)Doha Round of Trade Talks Stalling"Substantial agreement" unlikely at meeting next month, and other free-trade efforts are hurting (like the FTAA). We need more and freer trade, under the rule of law respecting issues like intellectual-property rights.